Read Online Intriguing Lady by Leonora Blythe - Free Book Online

her apparent confusion, quickly withdrew her hand. “It’s—it’s the gentleman I met on the boat,” she said, and then, grinning sheepishly at the comte, added, “Please excuse Papa. He’s an advocate of plain speaking, which sometimes can be quite embarrassing.”
    The comte bowed. “Then I will not add to your distress, mademoiselle. I bid you good night and hope that I will have the pleasure of meeting you again in London.” He retreated up the passageway and watched through narrowed eyes as Roberta and Sir Nicholas made their way up the stairs. When they were finally out of sight, he snapped his fingers and a liveried servant appeared. “Find out where this Mlle. Rushforth resides,” he commanded, and without a backward glance, pushed open the door to the gaming room and took his place at the table.
    “What has he done that forces him to ask for your forgiveness?” Sir Nicholas demanded abruptly when he deemed that they were safely out of the comte’s hearing.
    Roberta blushed and looked to the floor. “I…ah… that really is none of your business,” she answered, “but if it interests you, he tried to kiss me.”
    “Did he, by George!” Sir Nicholas exclaimed. “He must be very taken by you, Miss Rushforth, for I have never known him to indulge in such an unlikely flirtation before. Unless, of course, you encouraged him.”
    “Encouraged him!” Roberta sputtered, recalling how revolted she had felt by the comte’s wet kiss. “How dare you even insinuate such a thing!”
    Sir Nicholas laughed, but without mirth. “My apologies. I spoke without thinking. However, I beg you, please heed my warnings. He is a dangerous man to cross.”
    “I thank you for reminding me of that fact,” she responded coldly. “And if anything untoward happens to me, I will not forget that you were the one responsible for my meeting him.” She lifted her head arrogantly and entered her room, slamming the door hard behind her. “How dare he be so patronizing!” she fumed. “And so free with his advice?” It was about time someone exposed him for what he was, and it would be her pleasure to do so.
    She undressed quickly and, tossing her clothes and her copy of the coded list haphazardly onto a chair, climbed wearily into bed. She thought sleep would elude her, but within seconds, her eyelids closed. As sleep overtook her, she remembered that she hadn’t returned the paper to Sir Nicholas.
    It was a dream, the recurring dream: she was being waltzed around the beeswaxed floor of Almack’s by Stephen. She was only vaguely aware of the envious glances leveled at them by those young ladies who were not permitted to stand up for such an intimate dance, for her entire being was thrilling to Stephen’s touch. They moved as one, swaying gracefully in perfect time to the music. Round and round they went, dipping, swirling, turning tirelessly.
    Even so, her heart was heavy. There would be no tomorrow for her. After tonight, when she had told him that she wouldn’t marry him, it would all be over, and she would never see him again.
    She studied his face with tear-clouded eyes, etching every line in her mind. His eyes were half closed, and he smiled down at her lazily. She felt his arms tighten about her, and in a moment of total abandonment, she pressed herself closer to him.
    “Happy, my darling girl?” he asked, his lips against her ear.
    “Yes, yes,” she cried incoherently. “I don’t want this dance to end, ever.”
    But it did end, and it was with great reluctance that they parted and went in search of some liquid refreshment.
    “Follow me,” Stephen whispered after he had procured two glasses of lemonade, and in a trancelike state she did. He led her to a sparsely furnished antechamber and closed the door quietly. He placed the glasses on a small table and strode over to her. They looked at each other wordlessly, and then he caught her in an embrace. He kissed her on both eyes, her nose, her throat, and